During the last 50 years Liverpool Flying School has owned over 40 training aircraft, designed to suit the needs of our membership of 250 pilots and trainees. We currently operate five aircraft from our site at hangar #4 on the Business Aviation Centre at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Piper PA38 Tomahawk

This PA38 2-seater aircraft is one of the most popular civilian training aircraft in the world. Powered by a proven 112hp Textron Lycoming engine, the Tomahawk cruises at 90 Knots (103 mph). It has a maximum endurance of 5 hours on full tanks and has full dual controls.

Piper PA28 Warrior II

This PA28 4-seater aircraft is an ideal touring aeroplane. The 160 hp engine allows a cruise speed of 100 kts and a safe endurance of approximately 5 hours. The Warrior has full dual controls and is an ideal step up from the Tomahawk for new PPLs

Liverpool Flying School offers trainee pilots a chance to take the controls and experience the sensation of flying an aircraft by having a trial lesson.

The trial lesson is actually your first flying lesson and counts towards the hours required for the issue of your Private Pilots Licence. During the flight your instructor will demonstrate the basic function and effects of the aircraft controls and you will be shown the local flying area before flying the aircraft yourself. This is a very relaxed flight and is intended to serve as an introduction to light aircraft flying and the nature of the flying course itself.

Many people progress from the trial lesson to complete a full Private Pilots flying course.

Trial Flying Lessons can also be purchased as gifts for birthdays, Christmas, special occasions or as corporate incentives for employees. Find out more by visiting our page.

National Private Pilot's Licence (NPPL)

This is a mainly recreational licence which restricts pilots to UK airspace and allows flights in good weather during daylight hours only.

Medical requirements are less vigorous and your GP can sign your medical declaration.

6 theoretical knowledge exams including; Air Law and Operational Procedures; Navigation and Radio Aids; Meteorology; Aircraft General and Principles of Flight; Human Performance and Limitations; Flight Performance and Planning.

EASA Private Pilots Licence (PPL)

This licence has many privileges and is recognised throughout Europe. It allows flight during the day in good weather but additional ratings can be added to this licence for flights at night and in poor weather when the pilot needs to fly by sole reference to flight instruments.

A higher standard of medical fitness is required for this licence and the medical certificate can only be issued by an Aeronautical Medical Examiner.

The following is included:

45 hours flying

25 hours dual flight instruction including 2 hours of stall awareness and spin avoidance and also sufficient instruction in instrument flying to enable control in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) in order to return to Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC).

CAA IMC Rating (Instrument Meteorological Conditions)

This rating allows pilots to fly in poor weather and reduced visibility. It is a national rating and can only be used in UK airspace.

Many PPLs add this rating to their licence as insurance against being caught out in bad weather but it is also a good step towards achieving the coveted full instrument rating which allows flight in any airspace.

Our training includes:

15 Hours Dual Instrument Flying

1 Written Exam

1.5 Hour Flight Test With An Examiner

Ground School

The course is made up of instrument flying (Full and Limited panel) but can be divided into:

EASA Night Rating

This rating allows flight at night and again many pilots add this to their licence as insurance in case a delay causes them to be flying after sunset. It is also a fascinating experience to be in a light aircraft at night.